The Glee Project’s Charlie Lubeck on his Romance With Aylin, Going Home After a “Fearless” Performance

Not going to lie: We kind of love Charlie Lubeck. Say what you may about his (over)enthusiasm, but no one can deny that the man has serious talent.In fact, right before Charlie was eliminated from The Glee ProjectSeason 2, Episode 6: "Fearlessness," Ryan Murphy told him he’d just given his best performance to date. So while the mentors seemed to love his performances, they ultimately decided that Charlie marches a bit too much to the beat of his own drum to really fit in on Glee.Charlie recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly about how ironic it feels that he was sent home during, of all things, “Fearlessness” week. Plus, what’s the deal with he and Aylin Bayramoglu, anyway?This week marked Charlie’s fourth time landing in the bottom three, so the 23-year-old Chicago native said he knew he had to bring his A-game with this week’s last chance performance.

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Tyler Golden/Oxygen Media

“I just knew if I had any chance at all of staying, I had to swing for the bleachers,” Charlie told the site. “I had to be fearless, and I think it came across this week.”

In fact, a lack of fearlessness was never really his problem. “And I think if there’s anybody who’s been fearless to the point of reckless endangerment it was probably me [laughs]. I left on such a positive note though; the fans have been so good.”

Ultimately, though, even Charlie’s knockout performance of Tom Jones’s “It’s Not Unusual” wasn’t enough to keep him in the game. (Sidenote: You know who else sang that song? Darren Criss (Blaine) on Glee. That’s just one more point to add to our list.)

Since so much attention was paid to Charlie’s blossoming romance with fellow contender Aylin, EW made sure to ask Charlie where the duo’s relationship stands as of now.

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Sthanlee B. Mirador/PRPP

“During the show was just as undefined and weird and unable to be labeled as now,” Charlie answered. “I do know that she’s a wonderful person: She’s strong and confident and in many ways complements the areas in my life where I may be lacking perception.”

Well, that’s lovely and all, but are they dating? Charlie manages to evade the question by giving a roundabout answer. “Do I know whether or not we’ll be in a long-term relationship or anything like that? I have no idea what I’m doing tomorrow, much less what this thing with Aylin is,” he says. “But I know she’s going to be in my life for a long time, whether it’s as a friend or something more.”

As for what’s next in his life, Charlie says he’s taking life one day at a time. “I used to have this idea of the dream, and now it’s not as clear anymore,” he says.

“I’m starting to realize that most people with the best careers, they’re doing it as they go along. I think it’s the same for me. I think I’ve shown over my time on the show I’m a versatile performer, and I can make something happen for myself, given the right work ethic and the willingness to do everything it takes.”

All in all, Charlie maintains that he’s just grateful to have had the opportunity to be on The Glee Project at all. “I got to have my personal journey and the things that make me “me” on nationally syndicated television with overwhelming fan and critical response for six weeks in a row. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”